Feb 9, 2022
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Tips for Packing
Change looks with jewelry (earrings or necklace can change a look, so can a hat or vest for the outdoorsy)
What are the most comfortable items you own
The act of packing for a trip can also be a metaphor for major life decisions. It is easy to keep thinking we need to have everything we need just in case, sometimes lightening the pack will make the next step moch easier to make. It’s funny, because we are a few months away from a major life decision and it seems like all we keep doing is going over the packing list. Last week I finally realized, this is the 3rd time I have been over the list. There is nothing more we need in order to move forward. In my book I refer to this as the Knowing, Doing, Being Cycle where we feel like we need to learn and study enough before we are ready to take action, or we might be doing all kinds of meaningless things that preclude us from stepping into who we are meant to be. If you can relate to this statement, sit down for 5 minutes with a paper and pen and just dump everything out of your brain. Every fear, every question, every responsibility, every wish, every thought. When you feel like your brain is empty just leave it and walk away- no requirement to sort, assign or do anything with the list. A week later take a fresh piece of paper and do it again without looking at the first list? How do the lists compare? Which ones are taking up most of brain capacity. If you feel stuck after that, contact me. I often work with people to help coach them through little steps to design their ideal life. My speciality is designing an adventurous life with kids (and as a reminder my husband and I still work full-time).
I want to come back to the message requesting my recommendation for a good backpack for her son.
I always want to meet people where they are at and without asking a ton of questions. My response was:
Don’t overthink it. You can backpack with just about any backpack and be fine. I try not to focus on gear. But, I want to respect your question as you are asking for my insights. I am not brand loyal. We have an Osprey bag that we bought on FB marketplace and a Kelty pack that we bought a long time ago. Things I would look for are waterproof (note waterproof zippers are a pain to open so we decided to get a waterproof cover), also separate zipper access points so I can access something in the bottom of the pack without having to unpack everything. We don’t do multi-day hikes where you need to pack out massive amounts of water. If he is interested in thru-hiking (more than 3-4 days) in the wilderness, should also consider how he is going to carry and consume water.
We have some of our favorite items and brands, but that is what works for us. I would rather determine what is of value to you. I hope this episode helps you see that you don’t need special gear, the right things, or everything including the kitchen sink to have a good experience. If you aim for a deep awareness of what you value, how to optimize key things that are comfortable for you, and use less time and energy thinking about the stuff- it’s an opportunity to be a little lighter heading into your next adventure experience. By letting go of the baggage holding us in place we make room to receive the next opportunity.
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